U.S. Cyber Command up and running

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Cyber Command, designed to protect Defense Department networks, is fully up and running, the department said Wednesday.

The command achieved full occupational capability by completing a number of tasks to ensure it is capable of accomplishing its mission -- directing activities to operate and defend Defense Department networks -- the Pentagon said.

"I am confident in the great service members and civilians we have here at U.S. Cyber Command," Gen. Keith Alexander, commander of the new unit, said. "Cyberspace is essential to our way of life and U.S. Cyber Command synchronizes our efforts in the defense of (defense) networks. We also work closely with our interagency partners to assist them in accomplishing their critical missions."

A department statement said some of the unit's tasks included establishing a Joint Operations Center and transitioning personnel and functions from two existing organizations, the Joint Task Force for Global Network Operations and the Joint Functional Component Command for Network Warfare.

U.S. Cyber Command is under the U.S. Strategic Command. It reached its "initial operational capability" on May 21, the department said.